CHICAGO – Antoine Jackson, 42, of Tinley Park, is facing over eleven years in federal prison after being convicted of peddling heroin and firearms, describing himself to an informant as a “one stop shop” for both. Jackson’s operation, exposed through an undercover investigation, contributed to the already staggering levels of gun violence plaguing the city.
According to court documents, Jackson sold heroin, three firearms, and ammunition to a confidential informant during the summer of 2017. The transactions netted Jackson a cool $6,565 in cash. The buyer, an informant working with law enforcement, continued to purchase heroin from Jackson on multiple occasions, adding another $4,500 to Jackson’s illicit earnings. The deals weren’t limited to Jackson’s home; one exchange took place in a Tinley Park forest preserve, where Jackson brazenly displayed a handgun tucked into his waistband.
Jackson pleaded guilty last year to one count of dealing firearms without a license, one count of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. On May 23, 2019, U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman handed down a 138-month sentence. The firearms involved included a particularly dangerous AK-47 rifle, alongside two handguns – all equipped with extended magazines.
The case was spearheaded by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, John R. Lausch, Jr., and Timothy Jones, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Significant support was also provided by the Chicago Police Department, Matteson Police Department, Tinley Park Police Department, and the Will County Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobara S. Richardson argued forcefully for a substantial sentence, highlighting the devastating impact of illegal gun and drug trade on communities.
“In a city that has seen shootings and homicides in astronomical numbers, illegal dealing of firearms should not be tolerated,” Richardson stated in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “The collateral effect of drug trafficking is to flood the streets with these substances that breed addiction and violence and that undermine the safety of communities.” Jackson’s admissions in his plea agreement revealed a pattern of reckless disregard for public safety, conducting deals in residential areas and public spaces.
This prosecution is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime. U.S. Attorney Lausch has prioritized the aggressive prosecution of individuals involved in illegal firearms trafficking and related drug offenses. Jackson’s case serves as a stark reminder that those who profit from fueling violence will face the full force of federal law.
Related Federal Cases
- Heroin Dealer Gets 12 Years in Shelton OD Death · Illinois
- Belleville Man Gets 211 Months for Coke & Gun Plot · Illinois
- Mt. Vernon Drug Dealer Torence Jones Indicted · Illinois
- Antonio Thomas Gets 188 Months for Crack Conspiracy, Gun Charge · Illinois
- Brandy C. Anderson Gets 100 Months for Heroin, Gun Charges · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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